Jelena Dokic reach quarter-final at 2009 Australian Open
Tennis player Jelena Dokic has reach quarter-final at the 2009 Australian Open after she beats 29th seed Russian Alisa Kleybanova 7-5 5-7 8-6. Dokic reach her first grand slam quarter-final since the 2002 French Open.
Both players struggled with their serve and nerves before Jelena sealed a famous victory when she broke Kleybanova’s serve with a return winner in the 14th game of the deciding set, triggering wild celebrations on the Melbourne Park centre court.
Jelena Dokic began her tennis career in Australia but the relationship turned sour after her father accused Australian Open organizers in 2001 over an allegedly biased draw against his daughter. Dokic’s family returned to Serbia, two years later Jelena Dokic walked out on her family and returned to Australia.
Recently, Damir Dokic the father of tennis player Jelena Dokic has apologised for derailing his daughter’’s life and spurning Australia. Damir offered an olive branch to his daughter and the Australian public by finally saying sorry. Jelenas father said his biggest mistake was forcing Jelena to turn her back on Australia in 2001 and change allegiances to Serbia and Montenegro.
Dokic’s next opponent in Tuesday’s quarter-finals is world number three Dinara Safina. Jelena Dokic is currently ranked 187 in the world. After winning a qualifying event, she will return to the world’s top 100 for the first time since 2004.
